NP Bore pistol and diary inside box; Mystery deepens in Confident group boss CJ Roy's death

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mystery deepens in the suicide of Confident Group boss C.J. Roy, the real estate tycoon known to be very flamboyant among his peers.

C.J. Babu, brother of Roy, alleged that Roy faced severe mental stress following the raid. Babu, who was in Phuket, Thailand, was called by Roy around 10.45 am on Friday. According to his brother, Roy’s voice sounded upset.

The silence maintained by the Income Tax Department officials under the Central Government is adding to the mystery. The officials are not ready to reveal why the raid was conducted or what law Roy allegedly violated. The police registered a case of unnatural death following a complaint by Confident Group Managing Director T.A. Joseph. The Karnataka CID officials recorded the statements of Roy's family members and others.

Roy had organised a big party in Dubai last November as part of his plans to expand his business to Dubai. Malayalam film industry figures also attended. Many of the attendees of the event were under surveillance by the Income Tax Department and the Central Economic Offences Investigation Agency. The central agencies questioned some of those close to Roy.

Roy, who had gone to Dubai after the IT raid in December, had arrived in Bengaluru a few days ago. On the day of the tragedy, IT officials reached the Confidant headquarters in Richmond Circle around 12 noon. Roy arrived at 2 pm. Colleagues say that Roy expressed a desire to talk to his mother and refused to allow others to enter the cabin. He was found shot dead around 3.15 pm.

The Bengaluru Ashoknagar police have handed over the NP Bore 0.25 calibre pistol, diary and two mobile phones to the Special Investigation Team. The ballistic test of the silenced pistol will be conducted the next day. Roy always had a pistol and important documents in a box. He had a gun license for the past 20 years.

The body will be cremated at Roy's favourite Confident Cascade on Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru.